What Is the Project-Based Section 8 Program?

The Project-Based Section 8 program provides affordable apartment communities that are owned by private landlords with a rental subsidy that helps pay the rent for low income tenants. Called the Total Tenant Payment (TTP), program tenants pay either 1) 10% of their monthly income (gross income minus exclusions), 2) 30% of their monthly adjusted income (gross income minus exclusions and deductions) or 3) a minimum rent of $25. The Project-Based Section 8 rental subsidy may be available for every unit in a property, or a select number of units in the apartment community.

Don’t confuse this with the Section 8 Project-Based Voucher (PBV) program, which is part of the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program. The PBV program is managed by a Public Housing Authority an offshoot of its Housing Choice Voucher program.

Start the guide at Part 1: How Do I Know If I'm Eligible? or choose a topic from the list below.

Project-Based Section 8 Guide

  1. How Do I Know If I'm Eligible?
    1. Confirm that you meet the basic qualifications.
    2. Calculate your household’s income.
    3. Determine if there are any restrictions and/or preferences.
    4. Be aware of common factors that may disqualify an application.
  2. How Do I Find a Project-Based Section 8 Apartment?
  3. How Do I Apply to a Project-Based Section 8 Apartment?
    1. Obtain the application.
    2. Complete the application.
    3. Submit the application.
  4. What Happens After Applying?
    1. Wait for the property to process applications.
    2. Confirm your waiting list status.
    3. Estimate your wait time.
    4. Stay in contact with the property.
    5. Move Into The Offered Unit